Hi, I'm new here, but I've been reading all these posts for the last couple days. I'm worried about my cat, Chloe, because it seems like she's been pregnant way too long. I estimated mating at about the 15th of July, but obviously I'm incorrect, or she would have burst by now! So here's her situation:
Chloe's about a year old and very petite. I've been on labor watch for two weeks straight now. She is humongous and her belly dropped about a week ago (she looked so skinny I thought she'd had the kittens in the night!
) Her nipples are hard, swollen, and bright pink, and I noticed I could squeeze a small drop of milk out of them about 2 weeks ago (although I hadn't tried before that). Her vulva is swollen, soft and pink, and the opening looks bigger than it did a few days ago. It also is a bit "crusty," like maybe fluid came out and dried (she can't reach to clean there anymore). She's not really nesting, more just laying on the floor, but I did notice her birthing box was dug up yesterday morning. I've never seen her in it though, and when I put her in it, she just hops right back out. She was pretty sensitive about her stomach for awhile, but now she lets me feel it when she's laying down. Her breathing has seemed faster for about two weeks as well, and she sighs constantly! The kittens are moving like crazy, and I can watch them rolling around in her tummy, so I'm worried that they're ready, but she's not. 2 days ago, I noticed pretty violent twitching in her back, and kind of a shuddering between her legs, which I thought were contractions, but it's stopped now. I've been feeling for the "lump" of a contraction but all I get is little feet kicking me! She's still eating, although not a lot, and she's drinking water like a maniac. She's also had diarrhea for about 3 days. (Maybe it's the kitten food?)
So my question is... when do I really start to worry?
I've called a couple vets and they just say she sounds normal, and I must be wrong about the dates. But I don't think so. She moved in when my boyfriend did (June 30th), and was in heat when she got here, and got pregnant during that cycle (she didn't go out of heat and back in). The vet also said to leave her alone, which I try to do, but she follows me around all day and jumps in my lap to be petted. When I'm with her, she purrs like crazy, and doesn't try to leave or anything. Should I stay with her or shut her away by herself? When should I demand a vet check her? Is she really not as close as I think? If anyone could help me out I'd be forever grateful. Kitten watch is so tiring!!
Thanks!
Chloe's about a year old and very petite. I've been on labor watch for two weeks straight now. She is humongous and her belly dropped about a week ago (she looked so skinny I thought she'd had the kittens in the night!
So my question is... when do I really start to worry?